Make Good Choices

I saw a sign the other day that was so to the point and true I had to write about. The sign said,

How true do those words ring? We often make excuses for why things turn sour in our lives and blame everything and everyone around us. It is the society we live in. Its the fault of our spouse or children. If only I had a better job. If only I were prettier or smarter or taller...

The list of who and what we blame is endless.

The fact is that for every choice we make there is a consequence. Sometimes good things happen and we are satisfied with the outcome. Sometimes we make poor choices and the consequences are not enjoyable. When the latter happens we look around to shift blame so we can somehow feel better about ourselves or even feel sorry for ourselves. Our pride makes us not want to admit that we did this to ourselves.

When Israel was about the enter the Promised Land Joshua confronted the nation with these words. "Choose you this day whom you will serve." He then clearly laid out the consequences of making the wrong choice. Israel knew what would happen if they did not choose wisely.

So often we are blind to the consequences of our bad choices. We choose with little or no understanding of what might happen. Its almost understandable (not totally). But Israel had their eyes wide open. They knew what would happen and they still chose to dishonor God.

Stop making bad choices and blaming everyone and everything around you. Take the responsibility when you mess up. Set your course straight. Your life will be exponentially better.

Man That Looks So Easy

I have recently gotten the bug again to pick up my guitar and ukulele. I sold my mandolin hoping to get a better one in the future and I kind of got the bug for that again. As is my normal routine, I have been online looking at YouTube videos trying to pick up some free pointers and maybe learn a few things. As I watch these guys and girls give their lessons and tips one thing always stands out to me. THEY MAKE IT LOOK SO STINKING EASY!

I watch them play and then slow down and repeat their notes and I think to myself, I can do that. I pick up my instrument and all of a sudden my mind goes blank and I turn stupid. I can't remember a thing. Just a minute ago I was watching them do it and it looked like an easy thing to do.

The difference in them playing and me playing is the fact that they have spent hours and hours honing their skills. They have practiced and developed habits that make them the players they are. I want to be able to play like that without the grueling repetition of mistake after mistake until I get it right. I want to sit down and shred (a musicians' term I picked up along the way) without the discipline that it takes to perfect my skills.

That professional musician may have been born with some level of ability that is genetic. He may have a special gift. But that kind of playing comes from discipline and sacrifice and dedication. He still faces many instances of failure and stumbling through honing those skills.

Its really not unlike our lives as a Christian. We see many godly, dedicated, serving Christians that seem to have it all together. They seem to be what most Christians desire to be, you know mature, stable, faithful, and joyous. We look at them and ask ourselves, "Why can't I do that?" We have the desire to be like them, but we are not.

The same level of discipline and commitment and sacrifice that it takes for a musician to perfect his craft is the same level that a believer who has it all together needs. Yes, they make it look easy. Yes they appear to effortlessly walk the walk with seemingly none of the pitfalls that most of us run up against. In truth, they have reached this level of maturity by many times of testing and failure. If you were to ask any one of those believers you admire if it easy being so dedicated and faithful I believe each one would say it takes extreme effort (and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit). They could tell many stories of the failures in their lives to be what they are now. And the truth is it takes constant effort to maintain that level of spirituality.

I sure wish there was some pill I could take, or some switch I could flip to make me a good musician. There is not one. It takes a lot of effort and dedication. If I want to improve that is the formula.

If I want to be a mature, godly, dedicated Christian I must put in the effort. I must live my life disciplined and committed.

Play By the Rules

I have always been a big sports guy. My fondest memories from childhood are about being on the field, any field really. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, horseshoes, even ball and jacks, if it was a competition I was in. I loved to compete at any sport.

While many sports are extremely different from one another by the way score is kept, they all have one important factor in common: THERE ARE RULES.

A winner is only crowned when he competes and excels according to the rules. It would not be much of a competition if the rules were not in place. Can you imagine the chaos at a race where there are no rules and no marked out course? How could you determine who was the fastest if they did not run the same course?

"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." - 2 Tim 2:5

Many sports figures have been banished in shame because they did not compete according to the rules. The rules are put in place to assure everyone that the playing field is even and fair for all. In some cases the rules are put in place to prevent injury or harm to the competitors.

I think it is fair to say that rules in sports are a good thing intended to bring about a good result. Rules are not there to serve as an annoyance but rather to enhance the sporting experience.

Why is it that people think just the opposite when it comes to morality and ethics? Why is it that the world seems to be spiraling toward an "anything goes" mentality when it comes to morality and ethics? Have you ever heard anyone say "Don't tell me what I can or cannot do"? Most of us probably have. There is a sense in which people today have arrived at where the nation Israel was thousands of years ago. Judges 21:25 says "In those days there was no king in Israel. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes." That turned out to be disastrous for Israel. It was shortly after this point that they were taken captive. A very dark period indeed.

I could quote many many verses here to support my point but I will only give you one. I think this verse says it well.

Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil."

Is It Just a Hat?

I often see young men wearing various hats with sports team logos on them. It seems like the "Team of the day" is constantly changing. I am a big Chicago sports teams fan so whenever I see someone wearing a Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, or Bears hat I ask them, "Is that just a hat or are you a real fan of that team?" By asking that question I am seeking to know if they are a true fan or is it just the fad of the day.

You do not have to be a real fan to wear the hat. You can even hate the team but think the hat looks cool, or that it will give you street cred (whatever that means.) The colors of the hat may just match your other clothes. It may be that you got a good deal on the hat and decided to wear it that day. Last of all, you may just be having a bad hair day and want to cover up your rats nest! Whatever your reason for wearing the hat, it may not mean that there is any association or loyalty to that team at all. Its just a hat!

I find that this is an extremely relevant illustration of the way some believers wear their Christianity around town. They pretend to be a Christian for the spiritual cred it may bring them. It just may be fashionable in some social circles to be thought of as a "fan of Jesus." It may be that some boys will donn the apparel just to attract a certain girl they are interested in. There are many reasons why people will act like a Christian outwardly but inwardly be far from the Lord.

When I meet someone with a Chicago team hat on and I ask them if they are a fan or is it just a hat, it does not take very long for me to discern the answer. A real fan will engage in exciting chatter about the team and its current performance. They're glad to talk with me about the team whether good or bad. They seldom change the subject or try to get away.

When you meet someone wearing the Christian hat and try to start up a conversation about spiritual things and they try to dodge your questions or act bored to tears, it is a good indication that they are most likely "just wearing the hat." If they are a true loyal follower of Christ they will have no problem talking about their Lord.

Matt 7:20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Sumthin's Gotta Hold-a-me!

The Bible quite frequently (and with good reason) uses warfare to describe the attributes of the Christian life. I am not talking about the life of someone who simply verbally claims to be a Christian. I am talking about about people who truly strive to live their lives according to the example that Jesus set for mankind. There is a difference. Please understand what I am trying to say before you get all self righteous and condescending.

Of course I know there are hypocrites in the faith. Of course I know you know who they are and take every opportunity to point them out and hold them up as examples of what modern day Christianity really is. That, my friend, is not the Christian I am talking about. There is no spiritual warfare involved with those who pretend to be one thing and really are something else altogether.

When the Bible talks about the Christian life and uses battlefield metaphors to describe it, it is talking about genuine Christ-like faith. Those who truly understand that on the one hand we are to love those around us and do our best to woo them with the good news of the gospel. Yet, on the other hand we are not to condone their sinful activities. To do this takes balance, courage, patience, humility, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit because we have an enemy that is constantly at war with those who try to live Christ-like in this broken down sinful world.

In 2 Cor 10:4, the Bible speaks of strongholds. Strongholds in the life of a believer is a place where a weakness has developed because of unbiblical thinking patterns. Satan exploits the believer in these areas because he knows it is the quickest way to cause the believer to act in a way contrary to the example Christ set.

No one ever sinned without first thinking about it. Sometimes a person will think long and hard about it, sometimes, the reaction time is very short. No one has ever sinned without first thinking about it. I know, I said it twice because I wanted you to catch that. The area of strongholds is the mind.

Allow me to give you a bullet list of some areas of unbiblical thinking that tends to cause the believer to act contrary to the example Christ set.

I deserve to be happy - no, God wants you to have joy
I can be a part time Sunday only Christian - no, you have been bought with a price, you are not your own
There is no punishment for sin - no, God chastens his children
Christian living is something we "DO" - no, it is what we "ARE" what we do comes out of what we are.
Living a holy life is just too hard - no, I can do all things through Christ. Christ liveth in me.
If I live the life of a sold out Christian I will not have any friends - no, you will have God as a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

The biggest reason so many Christians fail to live the life Christ expects us to live is because we think in an unbiblical manner. There are so many other things I could add to that list above and I am sure you can too. My point is that true warfare that tears down strongholds is a battle that rages in the minds of believers.

Its time that true believers stop allowing themselves to be the victim and start being the conqueror God expects them to be. Our Christian lives are unfruitful and boring because we are not thinking with a biblical worldview. Reject those thoughts that oppose the centrality and supremacy of Jehovah God. Get yourself out of the middle of the universe and put God Almighty in His rightful position.

He Is Not Here - Did You Just Miss Him?

I have had three brushes with "earthly fame" in my life. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with someone we might call "famous" in the eyes of the world.

I was traveling back from a business trip and just got in to the baggage area at the Hartford Airport. Standing just five feet from me was Pat Boone. Now to some of you the name Pat Boone does not mean too much. He was a Christian entertainer that was quite popular back in the 70's. I was so excited to to see this outspoken Christian man that had achieved fame. I wanted so badly to go up and shake his hand and tell him how much I appreciated his stand in Hollywood. I was too embarrassed or scared or whatever. I missed my opportunity.

Another time, at another airport, in another country (England) we were in the gate area at Gatwick airport waiting for our trans-atlantic flight. I had gone to find some drinks for the family when I heard this commotion. When I got back to the family I saw Elton John had just passed by where the family was sitting and went through a door into a lounge of some sort. I was off doing something else and missed him.

I was twelve years old. One of my teachers in public school had an after school job as supervisor of a city park that had quite the facilities. He invited four or five of us guys to come to the park that evening and hang out while he worked. This park actually had a professional boxing ring and we could not resist. The gang was in the ring bouncing around having a blast when all of a sudden the doors to the gym burst open and this group of large black men came into the gym shouting and yelling at us to get out. The main guy was shouting to us "get out of my gym before I hurt you." As we ran ran past him he stuck his humungous boxing glove right in my face as though he was going to punch me and then...smiled at me. That did not make me feel any better. I ran for my life and went straight to Greg our teacher. We told him what had happened and he burst out laughing at us. He said to us, "Don't you know who that is? That is Cassius Clay." Because I had no clue who he was and was so scared I did not get a chance to enjoy that moment either.

These stories are all true and serve to remind me of the story in scripture where Mary and other women ran to the grave only to hear the angels say, "He is not here, He is risen from the grave." They had just missed him.

Now I do not intend to equate these three worldly famous people to the Lord Jesus Christ. My stories are intended only to illustrate the fact that people can "miss" the Saviour for many of the same reasons I missed these wordily superstars. I missed Pat Boone because I was too embarrassed. I missed Elton John because I was busy doing other things. I missed Cassius Clay because I did not recognize who he was.

We are celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ this week. He offers eternal life to all who receive his gift of forgiveness through his death, burial, and resurrection. Don't miss your opportunity to meet him.

Biblical Gray Areas: What Should I Do?

Dr Mike Bere

If the Bible was written to be a complete book of commands for us to live by it would have to be so big that no one could possible read it all. Think about it for a minute: it would have to cover every single possible situation, in every culture, in every time period. If it were to do that there would be so much of the book that we could not possible understand. Because God is infinitely wise He did not saddle us with a book that would be too cumbersome to be effective and beneficial. Instead He gave us a book that contains principles and precepts. Sure there are commands and prohibitions. For the most part, however, God gave us a book of practical principles that if we study and pray will guide us into right living.

If you are faced with a situation where the Bible does not give a direct command to "thou shalt" or "thou shalt not" what do you do? Is it left to the individual believer to decide based on what he feels is right or wrong? Can something be right in this situation but wrong in another?

Far and away the most beneficial class I took while at Bible college was a class called "Social Ethics" taught by Dr. Mike Bere. Dr. Bere developed a study of six principles that if correctly applied can help any believer in any situation make godly and righteous choices.

For this reason, our church is hosting a Bible conference April 25-27. It is a free to all conference with a meal provided on Saturday and Sunday. A conference notebook will be supplied for note taking as well. Contact me for more information. We would love to have a good number of people show up to tie advantage of this teaching. I believe it will change your life.

Dr. Mike Taylor
281-725-4097
miketaylor627@gmail.com